For Looks Into Using Discarded Coconut Husks As Plastic Reinforcement

Ford is investigating whether or not discarded coconut husks can be used as a plastic reinforcement in its vehicles.

The automotive company has teamed up with The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company to research the viability of such a plan, which would see the husks — or more specifically the coir, the fibers found on the husks — used as a way to strengthen plastic parts in Ford vehicles. Scotts uses 70 million of coir in its gardening products each year, and is hoping that this project could be a way to put the coir that would normally be wasted to good use.

"Teaming up with Ford to find a high-value use for our leftover coir material is very exciting for us as we continually work to make our products and operations more sustainable," explained Dave Swihart, Scotts Miracle-Gro senior vice president of global supply chain.

In addition to being a renewable material and a way to strengthen plastic parts, the coconut coir also comes with other benefits. It results in lighter weight plastic and is very difficult to burn.

"This is a win-win situation," Dr. Ellen Lee, technical expert for plastics research at Ford, said. "We're taking a material that is a waste stream from another industry and using it to increase the sustainability in our vehicles."

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